Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Home Tutor (2)
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The family's renowned healer—
The family's renowned mage—
The knights who usually flaunted their prowess so much—
In the end, none of them could do a thing.
The baby bird the girl cherished had died.
The black magic aura staining its body was too potent, and no one could heal it.
Even burying that polluted corpse herself was forbidden.
Watching the adults dispose of the baby bird's body, the girl muttered.
"…Boring."
To soothe the girl's heavy heart, the family's respected elders gathered together.
But they didn't enter her sight at all.
"Ara?"
Charlotte spoke in surprise.
"Why blood—"
Blood had suddenly begun flowing from home tutor Rishir's nose.
Nobles were a race that placed excessive, almost inefficient importance on outward appearances.
A swollen nose from a cold or a loud coughing fit would become fodder for mockery.
But blood from the nose?
Not too severe, just the right amount of unseemly?
If this had been a public occasion, Rishir would have been subjected to subtle, insidious teasing over it.
-Oh my. Evidence of fatigue, is it? Some trouble in the family?
-Shall I lend you my handkerchief? Ah, just take it.
Something like that.
In truth, Charlotte was viewing Rishir's state in much the same light.
Her expression seemed worried on the surface, but mischievous underneath.
Like a cat that had spotted prey.
Charlotte had toyed with countless home tutors to her heart's content.
She had viewed Rishir—who refused to buckle under pressure and even seized control of the mood—as "impudent" or "arrogant."
She had expected him to be utterly humiliated in their sword sparring, only for him to perform with such leisure that she couldn't shake the thought of "he got one over on me."
But.
To think he would reveal such a disheveled side behind that composed facade.
Charlotte addressed the somewhat weary-looking Rishir.
"Are you all right? Didn't you push yourself too hard just now?"
A concerned expression.
It seemed like polite worry at first glance, but laced with subtle mockery within.
Like telling someone carrying a light load, "Aren't you overdoing it?"
It was a reaction born from dismissing the technique Rishir had displayed in their previous bout as nothing special.
And—
This wasn't particularly out of disdain for Rishir.
Magic and swordsmanship.
To Lady Charlotte, they were merely "boring" trifles.
And Lady Charlotte possessed innate genius for those boring trifles of magic and swordsmanship.
That very fact served as fodder for her contempt rather than interest.
-You said we mustn't approach them lightly? But they're so simple.
It was a truth that hadn't changed, even as she got one over on her new home tutor.
"If you're all right with this—"
Charlotte offered Rishir her handkerchief.
Rishir politely declined and pulled out his own from his pocket to wipe the blood.
It seemed quite routine for him, nothing out of the ordinary.
After wiping it away, he said,
"Indeed, I did push myself. Trying to live up to the expectations you place on me—"
Charlotte couldn't comprehend Rishir's attitude.
A noble should feel at least some shame in such a situation—
Yet there he was, exuding pure confidence through his humility.
'Is he that proud of his magic swordsmanship?'
Charlotte's interest in Rishir's technique deepened.
She was eager to see his reaction when she mastered magic swordsmanship as if it were nothing.
"Overdoing it just to meet my expectations. How kind of you. In that case, I can gladly accept that favor, right?"
"Pardon?"
"Teach me. That magic swordsmanship."
"Ah."
Hm.
Rishir rested his chin in thought.
"Am I asking for something impossible?"
"No? Quite the opposite, actually."
"Opposite?"
"Yes. It's the first time. Someone wanting to learn this magic swordsmanship."
Charlotte had always ignored theory when it came to magic and swordsmanship.
In other words, she had a genius-level talent for mastering them purely through instinct.
From her perspective, Rishir's words struck differently.
'Come to think of it. Using swordsmanship and magic at the same time—seems inefficient.'
In the end, Charlotte interpreted it as people not learning magic swordsmanship because they didn't want to, not because they couldn't.
"Is that so? Then my proposal must please you?"
"Pardon?"
"Of course. Someone as talented as me showing interest in your technique?"
Heh.
A burst of laughter escaped him.
He nodded pleasantly, chuckling.
Charlotte's words were spot on.
Rishir had learned a fair bit about her from Pallag.
Thus, he knew just how unusual it was for her to express interest in any particular field.
The renowned home tutors clamoring to serve high families.
The lady of a great house who had turned down even them, now interested in his unique technique?
'Damn... Rishir. Talk about good fortune.'
He recalled the days when he had begged to learn the Bendel sword only to be refused, lost in sentiment.
As such, Rishir very much wanted to teach Charlotte his magic swordsmanship.
However—
"Ah."
A groan slipped from his lips.
He knew all too well.
The reason no one besides her had ever wanted to learn magic swordsmanship.
'What if I teach her wrong and the lady's seven apertures bleed out?'
In such a scenario, not even the endorsements of great nobles or archmages would save him.
Rishir was keenly aware that he wielded his power recklessly.
The fact that he could still wander around unscathed owed much to his innate constitution.
In the end.
Rishir's answer was set.
"Lady. I'm truly grateful for your interest... but I don't think I can teach you this technique. As I mentioned—"
"You need a special constitution to learn it?"
"That's right."
"You're convinced I lack the talent you have?"
The mischief in Charlotte's elegant smile grew thicker.
'What is it. Too stingy to share your secret with others?'
That was how she interpreted Rishir's behavior now.
Of course.
Charlotte understood his position on another level as well.
Secret techniques weren't something to casually pass on.
Not to someone in a shallow relationship like a home tutor.
She knew he had only revealed his secret technique to pique her interest.
What she had initially demanded from him was "swordsmanship instruction," not "magic swordsmanship training."
She had even demanded that sword instruction just to put the mage in an awkward spot.
She had neither the right nor the justification to demand he teach her magic swordsmanship.
"…"
However.
Understanding something with one's head and accepting it in one's heart were worlds apart.
Charlotte felt dissatisfaction at Rishir's attitude of hiding his magic swordsmanship.
'What, how amazing can it be that he's hiding it like that?'
Charlotte recalled all those who had vied to become her teacher.
Having glimpsed even a fragment of her talent, they had desperately sought the role.
Willing to give her their liver or gall— their secrets, gladly, if she so desired!
Yet here he was, putting on airs.
Normally, she would have deemed it lame and lost interest.
But why?
Unlike her past home tutors, was it because things weren't going her way?
'Impudent.'
A leisurely atmosphere.
A stolid attitude.
The desire to shatter his impudence dominated her thoughts.
How to make that happen?
The answer came quickly upon reflection.
'Magic swordsmanship...'
The key lay in his magic swordsmanship, the source of his pride.
Then, a sudden realization.
'Do I really have to learn that magic swordsmanship from this man?'
She pondered it.
Magic swordsmanship, guarded like it was his alone.
If she, having received no instruction, were to demonstrate it—
What reaction would he have?
"…"
A smirk.
The most mischievous smile yet curved Lady Charlotte's lips.
"All right. If you're that doubtful— the answer's simple."
"Lady?"
"I'll prove it. Whether I qualify to learn your magic swordsmanship."
Lady Charlotte rose gracefully, offering a curtsey.
"Then— that's all for today."
After parting ways with Rishir.
Lady Charlotte headed straight for steward Catherine's office.
The lady cut straight to the chase.
"Catherine. That man Rishir. What kind of person is he?"
Catherine startled visibly.
The lady showing interest in a home tutor.
Truly unprecedented.
'At last, the lady...! As expected of Frozen Breath's recommendation!'
The steward brightened.
Recalling the young man's face, she said,
"I've already begun gathering information on him."
"What? You hired him without even knowing who he is?"
"There were recommendations from Mastien the talent collector and Frozen Breath."
"Hmm... So? What did you find after compiling it?"
"He doesn't seem the type to enjoy showing off. In a good light, humble?"
"What does that mean?"
"While staying in this city of Bondales, he accomplished some major feats. The kind anyone could proudly publicize to raise their name. Yet he didn't bother spreading word of them. Just let them be, naturally. As if they were nothing to him."
"Well, then they probably really were nothing."
"No."
Catherine rebutted in a serious, resolute tone.
"According to reports, he played a pivotal role in expelling a black mage who had infiltrated the Gray Tower. Without him, none of the tower's mages would have noticed."
Hmm~
Charlotte let out a low hum.
A mix of intrigue and apathy.
"So. That's it?"
The mage tower, bastion of wizards.
Discovering a black mage hidden there before anyone else.
Undoubtedly a great accomplishment.
Yet Charlotte felt no real excitement.
She was born of one of the continent's greatest families.
Back at the main house, heroes with such feats were a dime a dozen.
Even Cheston, whom she had sparred with Rishir, had achievements on par.
"No. The real part comes now."
"Hm?"
"More recently. The White Shadow Church's high priest led demon worshippers in a plot from within the city."
"White Shadow's high priest? He subjugated those demon worshippers single-handedly?"
"Not quite. Reports say he had the city council's full backing. But he played the decisive role in the purge."
"…"
"And one more thing."
"More?"
"The face thief, slayer of heroes, who hid in Bondales— he also played the decisive role in driving that one out as well. Ah. With full support from the Duvalan family's special forces."
"Decisive role after decisive role. What exactly was so decisive?"
"No specifics in the records. Likely to shield him from demon worshippers or other thugs approaching. A wise move, I think. For someone without solid backing like him, too much fame can be poison."
"…"
Having heard "all" of Rishir's accomplishments, Charlotte scoffed indifferently.
Catherine had served by the Vallard lady's side for many long years.
She read the intent behind the lady's actions and lit up with delight.
"Looks like the new home tutor has caught your fancy."
"What? What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
The lady recoiled in horror.
"If that's a slip, I apologize."
The steward merely smiled inwardly at how endearing she was.
"Anyway. How did things go after? What did you learn from him today?"
"…"
Charlotte lapsed into thought instead of answering.
"Catherine."
"Yes, Lady."
"Those two, Montyun and Liviel. Can you reinvite them?"
"Lady?"
Steward Catherine betrayed her fluster.
Montyun and Liviel.
Renowned swordsmanship and magic instructors—
Recently hired by the Vallard family, only to quit before even a day passed at the lady's whim.
'The new tutor doesn't please her after all!?'
Steward Catherine urgently recalled home tutor Rishir.
"If you reinstate those two, the new home tutor—"
"Ah."
Perfect timing.
A meaningful smile played on Charlotte's lips, as if to say as much.
"I was planning to call him back soon anyway."
Rishir was reinvited to the Vallard family a few days later.
"Lady? These people are—"
Rishir entered the room at Lady Charlotte's summons.
He froze, eyes darting around the interior.
There were others in the room besides Charlotte.
A middle-aged woman in spectacles and a man with a long mustache.
The renowned magic instructor Liviel and swordsmanship instructor Montyun.
Confusion and pride mingled on their faces.
The confusion stemmed from being present as the lady's temporary instructors and accomplices(?).
And the pride—
"Teacher? Do you remember our last conversation? I said I wanted to learn your magic swordsmanship, but you doubted my ability. So I said I'd prove I qualify."
Charlotte spoke brimming with confidence.
Suddenly, she took a deep breath and began focusing her mind.
"…"
At first, mana resonated with her aura, swirling around her.
"Huu—"
Soon, that mana settled into her body.
A blue breath flowing naturally from the resonance.
The two instructors gasped in admiration at the act blurring the line between magic and martial arts.
It was the result of special training with the two instructors over the past few days.
Or rather, the fruit of Charlotte fully unleashing her genius for the first time with genuine interest.
They had taught her mana circulation methods for magic and swordsmanship separately—
Not how to handle both at once.
"Resonance and blue breath, both at once..."
"Even seeing it again... unbelievable..."
The two instructors openly showed their awe.
Charlotte inwardly savored their reactions.
She felt utter conviction in her achievement once more.
"Huu...! Huu...!"
The aftermath of chaining blue breath right after resonance.
The extreme mental strain from defying common sense.
Charlotte panted, cold sweat beading on her brow.
Yet her mind felt clearer than ever.
She had proven it spectacularly before the man who doubted her.
She didn't put on a confident front as she gazed at home tutor Rishir.
Instead, she feigned insecurity.
"I admit it... Your technique isn't something a hasty learner like me should touch... It's so... overwhelming..."
Lies, through and through.
Charlotte had a rough idea already.
Chaining blue breath straight from resonance—
That had to be the core of magic swordsmanship.
For example.
Right now, she was on the verge of that core.
'Without your help!'
Yet she put on this insecure display.
To relish his reaction through what some called "deception."
And Rishir's response followed.
Charlotte focused on it intently.
Surely, humiliated at having his secrets laid bare—
"Thank you for understanding."
Rishir spoke with a pleased expression.
The core of magic swordsmanship.
Wasn't the linkage from resonance to blue breath.
It was using both simultaneously.
And even that was merely a tiny fraction of the basics underpinning the technique.
"…?"
Charlotte, still unaware of that fact, blinked at Rishir's reaction.